Off The Streets Lancaster PA

05/31/2026

For the first time ever, we delayed a Saturday move to wait for a baby’s birth. Read about Move 3!

But first, a cold, windy, rainy Saturday morning didn’t dampen the spirits of our May 23 CanDo Crew! They brought their own sunshine to bless 9 people in Lancaster City homes, 4 adults and 5 children.

Move 1 for Mom and her two children provided them beds, kitchen table, 2 living room chairs, bedding, love seat, TV table, end tables, nightstands, 2 dressers, air conditioner, lamps, towels, kitchen needs and a colorful living room rug. Thank you to the Hartmans who donated a Honda push mower so Mom can groom her postage stamp-sized backyard, and expand their living space. RoseAnn gifted her a sunflower to plant and enjoy!

Move 2 delivered furniture and living needs for a couple that recently secured permanent housing. Their small apartment was outfitted with a full size bed, bedding, rug, dresser, loveseat, kitchen cart, TV, air conditioner, kitchen items and towels.

Our final household welcomed a baby boy earlier than expected, just when we were scheduled to help them. Thanks to George and Brad, the “Now We Are Four” family were set up in their home fit for a brand new baby boy 6 days later on May 29 with 2 dressers, a queen bed frame, twin and queen bedding, lamps and nightstands furnished bedrooms. A bookshelf, high top table with 4 stools, air conditioner, wicker chest, upholstered rocking chair and end table will wash their new home in warmth and comfort. While they had little for themselves, they were well prepared for their baby.

Each home received first aid kits from Patient First. Thank you, Gardner's Mattress & More. Thank you, Geisinger Health System. Thank you, volunteers and donors. This couldn’t happen without your support.

Truck Captain Keith was assisted by Andy, aka Van Packer Extraordinaire, Denise, Kathy & Tom, Ann, Brad, Ted, Tim, Deb, Ross and Adam. Neither wind nor rain nor one thing kept this crew from providing for people moving into permanent housing.

Previewers Eilene, Deb, Bonnie & RoseAnn

05/28/2026

A friend just shared this with us! There’s still time to go to Frogtown Cafe. Thank you so much!

05/23/2026

Our Move May 16 for a man and child was to a basement apartment in Lancaster. He was living on the streets until he found this apartment by himself. Most items in his apartment had come from other’s trash; he was pleased with his resourcefulness. We brought him a gray leather loveseat, end table, lamp and rug for his small family room, and a white storage cabinet for the kitchen, a living needs box, trash can and throw rug for his sink. His son who visits often and needed a dresser and lamp for his room. Dad’s room was completed with bedding and lamp. We also supplied a fan for the basement apartment to circulate the air and portable heater because currently the apartment has no heat, though the landlord said it would soon be installed.

Our next Move was to an elderly couple and child with limited mobility issues who have been living in numerous motels for a year. They were relieved to have found this row house they could afford. Off the Streets helped with the security deposit. A few items were left in the house by former renters and a sectional sofa was being delivered to them by a church member. We selected two arm chairs that will be easy for them to get out of, an end table, lamp and television. We provided a queen bed and a full bed, necessary bedding, nightstands, lamps and dresser. For their kitchen, they received a table and chairs, 2 boxes of kitchen items, trash can and small appliances. We also delivered a powerful fan that will provide relief as it gets warmer. Like all moves, we gave them a Patient Firstfirst aid kit and a pail filled with cleaning supplies and personal items. A CommunityAid gift card was also gifted to them.

Our last, largest move was to a single mother and 5 children. They needed everything for this beautiful home in Paradise. We supplied 5 single beds with bedding, a full Gardner's Mattress & More mattress and frame with bedding, 3 dressers, 3 nightstands, a couch, loveseat and chair for their living room with a set of nesting tables, end table, TV stand, 5 lamps, bathroom items, kitchen items and books for the children. The mother and children were so appreciative, especially for the beds!

Andy, our truck captain loaded the vans like it was a giant Jenga puzzle. Kathy and Tom drove the other van and facilitated Moves one and two. We were lucky to have a willing group of volunteers to assist: Dave, Ted, Rick, Brad, Andrew, Kevin and Eli. Also Andy’s brother Johnny was a huge help with the Paradise move. It definitely took a village to make these moves happen! The families helped were extremely appreciative for all and anxious to have a place to call home.

Previewers: Barbara, Nancy, Colleene and Glenda

05/14/2026

Our moves on May 9 divided into three teams. Move 1 was for a gentleman who has a job at Lancaster General, a block away. His son visits weekends and a relative occupies one of 2 bedrooms on the 3rd floor of this rowhome. As often experienced, hallways were extremely narrow. The living room was a good size, but careful measuring proved a sofa would not fit through the entranceway. We made it cozy nonetheless with two upholstered chairs, a round table, braided rug, floor lamp and desk that doubled as a TV table. A dining table and chairs by the kitchen completed the living area. In the kitchen, we provided a microwave and cart to accommodate it. A relative sleeping on an air mattress was happy to receive a twin bed, nightstand, lamp and rug. The pinstripe coverlet and floral rug coordinated beautifully. The primary bedroom had ample closet space, so a chest of drawers was sufficient. A full size bed and a twin size bed fit nicely so when the child is there, he has a bed to sleep. We left books on his bed for his reading enjoyment. The dad works many hours. He was at work when the Move took place, but his sister was there to oversee. She FaceTimed her brother with excitement, and was overheard saying, “They even brought us a trashcan!”

We were fortunate our Move 2 Truck Captain Ed was able to pull into the lot adjacent to the kitchen door. This woman had been in her 2 bedroom townhome since November with a few borrowed things. She was happy to receive a loveseat, small tub chair, pretty throw from our friends at Red Rose Quilters Guild, end table, crystal lamp, small cocktail table and small floral rug for the living room. Her dining room was appointed with a round pedestal table and chairs. She requested a full bed and linens and we added a chair, night stand and lamp. Another quilted throw brightened this bedroom. Her dresser will be added to her second bedroom because George, trusty furniture donations coordinator, will ensure delivery Thursday. Towels, laundry basket, shower curtain, waste can and hamper were provided as well. Her kitchen received a large trash can, small appliances, living needs box, small bag of staples and standing dustbuster.

Move 3 assisted a Mom and daughter just out of a shelter. Their room is in a row home shared by several other boarders, all male. These two prefer to keep to themselves so we supplied not just beds and a spot for sitting but kitchen needs. They were thrilled with everything. Mom thanked God for his providence and our volunteers for their work. Their room was spotless. Mom busily cleaned the common spaces the day we previewed so we made sure she has supplies to continue to do so. Their room, while minuscular, is home and they are glad for it. We tried hard to enable privacy, comfort and the necessities to live fully.

What a fabulous team of volunteers. We are grateful for your help this past Saturday, and also appreciate the gifts of household items, furniture, dollars and time received from our community. Serving were Truck Captain Ed McD, Brad, Tim, Effie, John, Daniel, Stephen, Ted, Alicia, Matt, Charlotte, Lucy, Mart and Stephen.

Hats off to Gardner’s Mattress & More and Patient's First for their generosity. Our community’s donations to CommunityAid on our behalf enable us to receive Care Cards to their thrift store. These in turn benefit the neighbors we serve. Each of the three households served today received one card, a voucher to Blessings of Hope and a fully loaded cleaning bucket. They also received food items provided by the previewers.

Previewers Patti, Rosemary, Tina and Lena

05/12/2026

Thank you for your patience. Toasters actually appear on the wishlist now. You can follow the post previously put up, and that follows here, and rest assured it’s all good.
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Friends, we have no toasters in the warehouse. If you have one to donate, directions to our warehouse are in the comments. If you'd like to purchase one, go to our website https://otslancaster.org and click on the Amazon wishlist. Be sure the mailing address reads Landisville for direct delivery. Thank you!

Need Help? Dial 211 (mobile) or 855-567-5341 Off The Streets provides hope and dignity to those experiencing homelessness by helping them transition to permanent housing. We assist persons referred by local social service providers with a security deposit and basic furnishings. We perform these task...

05/08/2026

Eight people are comfortably housed in three homes thanks to moves May 2.

We assisted a couple and child with a twin bed including bedding for it and their existing queen. They received a sofa, chair, dresser, air conditioner, fan, floor lamp, table lamp and rugs with pads. For the kitchen, we supplied a microwave, toaster, coffee pot, blender, tea kettle and large trash can. We also gave them towels, sheer curtains with tension rods, hangers and small trash cans,.

We also assisted a single gentleman. He received a sofa, loveseat, end table, coffee table and lamp, dining room table and chairs. For the bedroom, we delivered a long dresser, tall dresser and lamp. He received towels and a shower liner.

Finally, we helped a single mom and her 3 children. For the living and dining areas, they received a sofa, chair, end table, lamp, dining room table and chairs. For the kitchen, they received a microwave and stand, toaster, coffee maker and dish strainer. Mom and kids received beds and bedding, a dresser and nightstand. They received towels, a shower curtain set, bath rug, mop/broom/vacuum, hamper, hangers, over the door hangers, plastic storage chest for baby’s room, books and a baby blanket.

All three groups received cleaning supplies, first aid kit, living needs kit and food box.

Many thanks to volunteers: truck captain Andy, van/pickup drivers Ted and Adam, heavy/light lifters Denise, Ann, Gail/Eric S. and volunteers from Salem United Methodist Church in Manheim, Jim, Stephanie, Gordon, Brenda and Mike. Previewers were Diane, Mary, Kathy and Patty F.

05/06/2026

HARTZ Physical Therapy has helped Off The Streets so much, it's only fair to share this post!

We are so grateful for every patient who walks through our doors — and we'd love your support! 🏆

Would you take a moment to vote for us as your favorite Physical Rehab Center & Sports Medicine in the LNP Readers Choice Awards? It's free and takes less than a minute!

Vote here👉https://lancasteronline.com/readerschoice/medical/article_1f738ad9-d6b2-444a-bca5-2ed8d2f2abc5.html

⏰ Voting closes May 31st!

Thank you — it means the world to our team! 💛

05/06/2026

Many thanks to the students of St. John Neumann Catholic School who worked with OTS Founder Deacon Michael Oles (black suit) to collect cleaning supplies that will be included in what we provide folks on our Saturday moves. Thanks for your generosity!

05/03/2026

Another great move day on April 25 thanks to the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Harrisburg and our dedicated regulars Brad, Deb, W***y and Truck Captain Ed.

Family 1 was a young mom with three girls who had nothing in there two bedroom apartment. Luckily, the mom borrowed a few things from a relative until we helped her with a kitchen table, chairs, lamps, end tables, nightstands, two dressers, a small bookcase and a rug. We couldn’t deliver a living room chair and sofa because of the narrow apartment entrance, but we’re optimistic future donations will complete this room with a properly sized sofa. We gave the little girls a kid size table with chairs that made them so happy they kept hopping around and clapping their hands. One said, “That’s so kind of you to bring us these things!” Motion sensor lights for the dark steep staircase was a special need we were able to meet.

Family 2 was a single dad with three children. The small apartment was furnished with a sofa, table, chairs, dresser, microwave cart, TV and stand, lamps, end table and nightstand. Under bed storage bins and a wire shelving will help keep their space organized.

Family 3 was a young couple with a baby. We furnished their space with a sofa, recliner, coffee table, rug, table, chairs, dresser, TV and stand. We also supplied batteries for the smoke detectors.

All of our families needed microwaves, coffee pots, crockpots, electric mixers, irons, ironing boards, towels, bedding and quilts lovingly made by Red Rose quilters. First aid kits donated by Patient First were given to each family and food boxes donated by Brenda and Ken C. All the children received backpacks with books provided by LS School District & Jen.
Thank you All & God Bless! Kirk, Lynne, Laura, Bobbie

04/28/2026

We have no small microwaves on hand at the moment. If anyone has been thinking about replacing theirs, now is a good time. Drop off at our warehouse, directions in the first comment. Thank you!